So I hatedlife,for the workwhichhad been doneunderthe sunwas grievousto me; becauseeverythingis futilityand strivingafter wind.
But he himselfwenta day'sjourneyinto the wilderness,and cameand satdownundera junipertree;and he requestedfor himselfthat he might die,and said,"It is enough;now,O LORD,takemy life,for I am not betterthanmy fathers."
"Ohthat You would hideme in Sheol,That You would concealme untilYour wrathreturns[to You], That You would seta limitfor me and rememberme!
Rememberwhatmy spanof lifeis; For whatvanityYou have createdallthe sonsof men!
I have seenallthe workswhichhave been doneunderthe sun,and behold,allis vanityand strivingafter wind.
And I setmy mindto knowwisdomand to knowmadnessand folly;I realizedthat thisalsois strivingafter wind.
Thus I consideredallmy activitieswhichmy handshad doneand the laborwhichI had exerted,and beholdallwas vanityand strivingafter windand therewas noprofitunderthe sun.
For whatdoes a mangetin allhis laborand in his strivingwith whichhe laborsunderthe sun?
Furthermore,I have seenunderthe sun[that] in the placeof justicethereis wickednessand in the placeof righteousnessthereis wickedness.
So I congratulatedthe deadwhoare alreadydeadmorethanthe livingwhoare stillliving.
But better[off] thanbothof them is the one whohas neverexisted,whohas neverseenthe evilactivitythat is doneunderthe sun.
Whatthe eyesseeis betterthanwhat the souldesires.Thistoois futilityand a strivingafter wind.
So the Spiritliftedme up and tookme away; and I wentembitteredin the rageof my spirit,and the handof the LORDwas strongon me.
"Therefore now,O LORD,pleasetakemy lifefrom me, for deathis betterto me thanlife."
When the suncameup Godappointeda scorchingeastwind,and the sunbeatdownon Jonah'sheadso that he becamefaintand beggedwith [all] his soulto die,saying,"Deathis betterto me thanlife."
Whydo You makeme seeiniquity,And cause [me] to lookon wickedness?Yes, destructionand violenceare beforeme; Strifeexistsand contentionarises.
"So ifYou are going to dealthuswith me, pleasekillme at once,ifI have foundfavorin Your sight,and do not let me seemy wretchedness."
